Improvement in horse hay-forks



J. B. DRAKE. Horse Hay Fork.-

Patented July 31, I866.

y? 4 QM.

UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES B. DRAKE, OF PICTURE BOOKS, PENNSYLVANIA, AssieNo T0 DRAKE, sILL & HUTSON.

IMPROVEMENT IN HORSE HAY-FORKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 56,851, dated July 31, 1866.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMEs B. DRAKE, of Picture Rocks, in the county of Lycoming and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Hay Fork and Gutter; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the nature, construction, and operation of the same, reference bein g had to the accompanying drawing, which is made a part of this specification, and which represents side elevations of my improved fork and cutter, showing the two opposite sides thereof.

This invention consists in providing a hayfork with a pair of knives or cutters which, when closed, are adapted to form a sharppointed head on the extremity of the fork, and by cutting through obstacles facilitate the insertion of the instrument into the hay; but when these cutters are in their open position the pivoted knife performs the office of tines, or constitutes the points of support on which the hay rests in being elevated.

The invention also includes the peculiar construction and arrangement of the several parts for opening and closing, locking and unlocking, the same.

The following description in detail will enable others skilled in the art to which my invention appertains to fully understand and use the same.

AA may represent the two bars which constitute the main body of the fork. B is a knife or cutter, which may be formed in one piece with or rigidly attached to' the bar A, and B is a knife or cutter formed separately, but attached to the two bars A A by pivots a a. The cutting-edge of the knife B is represented by b, and that of the knife B by b.

O is a cross-bar, pivoted to the bars AA at c c, and adapted to be vibrated upon the pivot 0 so as to depress the bar A till its lower end comes in contact with the shoulder b on the top of knife B, or elevate the said bar A so that it shall occupy the position indicated in Fig. 2. The depression of the bar A closes the knife B, in which position the cuttingedges 6 b converge to a point and enable the instrument to be readily inserted into the hay,

may be fastened to either of the studs D D at its opposite extremities.

The tackle-rope for elevating and lowering the fork is attached to the bar A at E.

Now, by working the cross-bar 0 so as to adjust the bar A up or down relatively to the bar A the cutter B may be opened or closed,

as represented. The instrument is inserted into the hay when the cutter is in its closed position, and as soon as it is properly embedded in the, hay the cutter B is opened, so that its curved back or edge 1 and its straight upper extremity 2 are made to project or stand out on either side of the fork and constitute points of support for the hay to be elevated.

The peculiar form of the cutter B gives it a great lifting capacity.

If preferred, a latch, F, may be employed to prevent the knife B from closing while in the act of raising the hay. This latch is pivoted to the bar A, and engages with a stud or stop, G, on the bar A. The cord by which the latch is disengaged from the stud isattached to the projection. H. Any suitable locking and unlocking device may be used instead of the latch F, if, indeed, any device of this kind is needed at all.

Having thus described my invention, the following is what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. The combination, with the adjustable parallel bars A A, of the stationary cutter B and pivoted cutter B, all arranged to operate substantially as described.

2. The adjustable cutter B, formed with a circular cutting-edge, b, and lifting-points 2, substantially as described.

3. In combination with the above, the bar 0, pivoted to the bars A .A, and provided with studs, to enable the said bar 0 to be operated by a cord or otherwise.

4. In a hay fork and knife constructed as herein described, the latch F and stop G, or their equivalent, for the purpose set forth.

To the above specification of an improved hay fork and cutter I have signed my hand this 12th day of May, 1866.

JAMES B. DRAKE.

Witnesses ADAM FRY, PETER E. FRY. 

